Dallas Keuchel (2-3, 4.41 ERA) and Jose Berrios (0-1, 11.25 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Houston Astros (8-17) and the Minnesota Twins (7-18) at Minute Maid Park. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 2 and can be seen on RTSW and FSN.
Keuchel pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering five runs, striking out five and walking two in an 11-1 defeat to the Mariners. Jose Altuve (.306, 21 Rs, 7 HRs, 14 RBIs, 9 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. Berrios went 4.0 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out five and walking two in a 6-5 defeat to the Indians in his most recent start. Oswaldo Arcia (.255, 4 Rs, 3 HRs, 9 RBIs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two RBIs.
The odds for Houston and Minnesota are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. The Astros have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Houston is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 19 bases. Houston’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. The Astros are the top team in the AL at limiting walks during home games, allowing only 1.7 walks per contest to their opponents this season.
Offensively, the Twins have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. Minnesota is excellent at not striking out on the road with an AL-low 12.2 per game. The Twins allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Minnesota is 2-7, while Houston is 2-8.
The Minnesota batters brought in a solid 11 hits last game. Houston has a record of 1-10 when their opponents get that many hits or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Astros and the Twins both have records of 5-3.
Houston and Minnesota both rank near the bottom of the league in runs. Houston sits at 21st with 92 runs this season and Minnesota ranks 25th with 85.
Houston and Minnesota both rank in the top 10 of the league in walks. Houston sits at sixth with 92 this season and Minnesota ranks 10th with 82.
When the Astros hit at least one home run, they are 7-12, well-matched with the Twins who are 5-10 when hitting one or more homers.
